“Likely to be a foreign coach” – Pundit reacts to Mike Dodds development at Sunderland

admin | February 27, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

On Saturday, nevertheless, the squad lost 2-1 at Swansea City under the interim head coach.

The Black Cats’ hopes of finishing in the top six were severely harmed with their third straight loss.

It might have also hampered Dodds’ prospects of being named the permanent head coach at the Stadium of Light at the conclusion of the season, but according to Alan Nixon, Sunderland might offer Dodds the position the next season if things go well, especially considering how close he is to Kristjaan Speakman.

In the wake of Michael Beale’s dismissal last week, the 37-year-old was given temporary leadership of the club until the end of the current term. However, if he performs well in the final months of the season.

Carlton Palmer makes Sunderland manager search claim

Carlton Palmer believes it is unlikely Dodds will be made permanent head coach of Sunderland at the end of the season.

However, he feels a positive run of results between now and the end of the term could convince him and the Sunderland board otherwise.

“In some quarters there are suggestions that Mike Dodds could be kept on as Sunderland boss, longer than the end of the season, if results are good,” Palmer told Football League World.

“But, currently, he’s in his third spell as caretaker manager and they’ve had three straight defeats, so it’s unlikely they’ll make the play-offs this season.

“So, again, be careful what you wish for.

“Tony Mowbray got them to the play-offs last season, and only just missing out to the eventual winners Luton Town, who got promoted to the Premier League.

“Mike Dodds is well thought of by the backroom staff, by the hierarchy at Sunderland, and they don’t want to lose him, so they’re giving him every opportunity.

“Should he get some good results between now and the end of the season then of course his name’s going to be in the frame.

“But I think it’s going to be highly unlikely Mike Dodds will be the new manager of Sunderland.

“I think Sunderland are possibly waiting until the end of the season to make their approach for whoever the manager they have on their radar.

“It’s likely to be a foreign coach, I think.”

Sunderland league position

Sunderland maintained their position in 10th in the Championship despite the 2-1 loss to Swansea on Saturday.

The Black Cats are now eight points adrift of the play-off places with only 12 games remaining in the campaign.

Dodds will have to turn around the team’s fortune quickly if he is to earn the permanent manager’s position at the end of the season.

Dodds unlikely to get the job

Dodds is certainly highly rated, and Sunderland will be keen to keep him around in some capacity, even if not as head coach.

There is no shortage of candidates being lined up as Beale’s long-term successor, so the Wearside outfit should have no issues finding someone to take on the role.

So, unless Dodds can win the majority of his remaining 12 matches, it’s unlikely the club will feel forced to appoint him permanently.

He’s proven useful as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option for Sunderland in the past, but Sunderland should be focused on finding someone with greater management experience as their next appointment.